NVIDIA Invests in Japan's 'Sakana AI'

TOKYO, Nov 20 (News On Japan) - NVIDIA has thrown its weight behind Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based startup rapidly gaining traction in the booming generative AI field. Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, industry giants like Google and Meta have entered the fray, intensifying the competitive landscape.

NVIDIA’s investment in Sakana AI highlights the startup’s prominence, as it attracts major funding both domestically and internationally. This includes significant interest from tech leaders like Google and Microsoft, who are also eyeing a surprising facility tied to the company’s innovations.

According to economic editor Satoshi Matsuo of Kyodo News, Sakana AI is at the center of a broader AI development wave, reflecting Japan’s growing role in global AI advancements.

Source: Kyodo

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McDonald's Japan to End Paper Straws

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Nikkei Closes Above 50,000 for the First Time Ever

McDonald's Japan to End Paper Straws

McDonald's Japan announced it will phase out the use of paper straws and introduce new lids that allow customers to drink directly from the cup without a straw starting on November 19th.

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More homebuyers in Japan are turning to ultra-long housing loans, with some mortgages now stretching as long as 50 years as buyers try to keep monthly payments down in the face of sharply higher construction costs.

Kumamoto Expands Chip Production as TSMC Plans Second New Plant

A subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a leading chipmaker, signed a location agreement with Kikuyo Town in Kumamoto Prefecture on October 24th for the construction of its second factory in Japan.

Toyota Unveils Vision for Future Mobility

As anticipation builds for the Japan Mobility Show 2025, set to open at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30th to November 9th, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has announced a sweeping reorganization of the automaker’s brand strategy. The company will redefine its group structure, including Daihatsu, into five distinct brands, with its flagship luxury car, the Century, becoming a fully independent marque.

Japan’s Auto Industry Faces Fallout from China-Netherlands Chip Clash

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) issued a statement on October 23rd warning that tensions between China and the Netherlands over semiconductor firms are having a serious impact on global automobile production.

Japan's Consumer Prices Rise 2.9% in September

Japan's nationwide consumer price index excluding volatile fresh food rose 2.9% in September from a year earlier, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced on October 23rd. The pace of increase slightly expanded from August’s 2.7%, maintaining close to a 3% growth rate amid continued price hikes in food and other daily necessities.

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